Hinata's Embarrassing Day (Part 4)

Hinata's Embarrassing Day:

Hinata couldn't breathe. She had been caught. Ino was standing to her right, looking down at Hinata, shifting her eyes from Hinata's red face to the black T-shirt in her hands. She looked a little confused. Then her saw the orange clothes in her bag and realized who's clothes they were. A broad grin spread across her face.

Ino: Hinata-chan, Are those clothes...?
Hinata: Ino-chan... It's not... It was an accident!
Ino: How do you 'accidentally' spend five minutes hugging Naruto's t-shirt as tight as you can?
Hinata: I-I... that was... I mean... I d-didn't take them, I swear!
Ino: Oh yeah?...
Hinata: It- It was Konohamaru-kun... He was trying to trick Naruto by stealing them from the changing room at the hot springs.
Ino: And you ended up with them how?

(Hinata regained some of her composure  now that she had a chance to explain).

Hinata: He ran into me and knocked me over when he was trying to escape the room. He had dropped the basket, but ran when he realized i had caught him in the act.
Ino (laughing): Hah! That little brat! He Is SO much like Naruto was when he was that age! But, what I don't understand is; how do you have them if he dropped them in the hot springs?
Hinata: Well, Naruto-kun had gotten out of the bath by that stage. When he realized they had been taken, he sounded so mad shouting in the changing rooms, but since Konohamaru was gone, I was sure he'd think it was me!
Ino (smiling): so... You took his clothes, so he wouldn't think you took his clothes? Not the best plan...
Hinata: I was just planning put down the basket and leave, but when I got here I realized I hadn't let go of it, I was so scared.
Ino: Ah, So you decided to put it in you bag to hide them?
Hinata: Yes! I was just putting this in when... when I... I...
Ino: Just couldn't help yourself?

Hinata just nodded, she couldn't bring herself to speak. Tears began to slowly roll down her cheeks and she buried her face in the t-shirt to hide them. She felt so ashamed of herself; how could she let herself get so careless? "Ino-chan will think I'm such a weirdo!", She thought to herself, "what if it had been Naruto-kun?!?!". Her shoulders were shaking with her gentle sobbing, but a gentle but firm grip soon steadied them. Looking up, Hinata saw that Ino was hunched down in front of her, her arms outstretched holding her shoulders steady. She had a big smile on her face.

Ino: Hey, hey! You don't have to cry, I won't tell anyone, you don't have to worry!
Hinata: R-Really Ino-chan?
Ino: Yeah, don't worry. I've seen it for a long time, you really love Naruto, don't you?
Hinata (surprised): I... I- I do... b-but, how long have you known...?
Ino (pushing aside strands of hair from Hinata's face): Since the Chunin exams. It was the way his cheering inspired you. I know you were happy to finally have someone cheering for you, but I remember who your opponent was. Only someone who was very close to your heart  cheering you on could have given you such determination while against someone like Neji.
Hinata: That was one of the happiest days of my life, despite losing the fight, just knowing Naruto-kun believed in me, it meant the world to me.
Ino (going back over the events of that day in her mind): I've rarely seen him madder than when Neji took that fight too far. When you were taken out by the medical corps he scooped up a bit of your blood from the ground and made a vow in front of all of us to beat Neji for you.
Hinata: Kiba told me about that. I was so surprised that he went to all that trouble for me.
Ino: We all were in a way. Back then I used to think he was kind of selfish, the way he used to jump into trouble to prove himself, it always just dragged everyone teamed up with him into trouble. But when he made that vow, I saw just how important his friends were to him.
Hinata: As much trouble as he attracted, he's always stood by our side in our time of need...
Ino: I once asked Shikamaru why Naruto went looking for such difficult missions, why he took on such impossible odds. Shikamaru told me that the adults in the village seemed to have some sort of unspoken problem with Naruto. I never really hung out with Shikamaru much until I was teamed with him, but he hung out with Choji, Naruto and Kiba a lot, so he knew more about him.
Hinata: Y-yes, I remember that, the others in the academy used to call them 'the slackers club'. They were always in trouble with Iruka sensei and the third Hokage.
Ino (laughing): Exactly! Shikamaru and the others just saw Naruto as another kid who just liked to do what he enjoyed, so they got along. I think Shikamaru's father was actually happy that he could see Naruto for the person he was.
Hinata: It's a shame so many looked down on him, but at least he had some people.
Ino: Well, Shikamaru told me about how People in the streets would treat him, and how what sometimes seemed to be just stupid stunts, were actually Naruto desperately trying to prove himself.
Hinata: Now everyone respects him and look up to him. They trust him completely.
Ino: You saw his good qualities from the beginning, he had to go through so much pain and suffering for the rest of us to see it.
Hinata: But he's much happier now for it. Going through all that made him so much stronger. If he hadn't to go through all that, he may never have been as strong as he is now, and mightn't have been able to save the village.
Ino: I guess you're right, He really does look on the bright side doesn't he!
Hinata: He never gives up, never goes back on his way, that's his ninja way, and I made it mine as well.

(They stayed where they were for a moment, then Ino slowly stood up and looked towards the stone faces of the Hokage).

Ino (pointing towards the faces): He said he'd be up there too one day.
Hinata: It's his dream, one of the other things that drives him on. I believe he will be the next Hokage, a great one!
Ino (laughing at the picture in her mind): I believe he will be too, but he'll no doubt still be just as big a goofball! I can just see it, the serene faces of the five Hokages, and his big grinning head right next to them!
Hinata: He might just give his usual determined smile. I don't think they'd let him mess around with the mold...
Ino: That smile... It would probably be the best thing for the village to see. It's hard to lose hope when you see that smile... hard to explain why...
Hinata: It's because you can see Naruto hasn't given up hope, and as long as Naruto has hope for something, or someone, then there's always a chance...

Hinata finally put the t-shirt in her bag. Now that she had finished putting them away she realized that she actually had no Idea how she was going to get out of the situation she was in. she picked up the bag and looked at it, hoping a plan would magically pop into her head. While racking her brain for a plan a different thought popped into her head.

Hinata: Ino-chan?
Ino: yeah?
Hinata: All this talk about Naruto-kun has just reminded me about something. Naruto wants to treat us all to some ramen at Ichiraku's later on, at about six o' clock.
Ino: Wait! What?! Naruto Uzumaki treating others to ramen? Did he suffer a head injury during your last mission?
Hinata: No, Kiba-kun and Tsunade-sama had the same thought, but it seems he was given a lot of coupons for free meals at Ichiraku's as a reward for saving the village and then helping them to rebuild the restaurant afterwards.
Ino: Wow! Still, I mean even so, this is kind of strange isn't it?
Hinata: With the fourth great ninja war just around the corner, Naruto-kun wants to treat all of his friends, because it may be one of the last chances we get. A lot of the large scale preparations will be starting tomorrow, so we may not have many other opportunities.
Ino: Well, I'm not going to refuse what might be a a once in a life-time opportunity. I'll tell Choji and Shikamaru for you if you want.
Hinata: Thank you! I'll tell Shino-kun, and I'll ask Neji-kun to tell Lee-kun and Tenten-chan.
Ino: I hesitate to ask, but what about Konohamaru, Udon and Moegi? Aren't they like a gang dedicated to him?
Hinata: He never said, but he said he'd be checking around asking others as well, so he might plan on asking them himself.
Ino (giggling): If he can find himself some pants first!
Hinata: Oh no! He's got nothing to wear! How will he get new clothes?
Ino: Kiba's with him right, he'll probably help him out.
Hinata: I hope so!
Ino: Listen, I've a plan. Go back and put the clothes into a box, I'll find Konohamaru and make sure he swings by your place later on to get the box and bring it to Naruto with a full confession.
Hinata: Will that work? Are you sure you can find him?
Ino: I saw him heading to the training grounds earlier, knowing how much like Naruto he is, he's most likely still there. (She brings up her right hand, clenches it into a tight fist and laughs). And I can be very convincing when I need to be!

With that They head their separate ways, promising to meet up a little earlier than six to make sure everything was in order.

In another part of the village Teuchi was busy preparing a fresh batch of Ramen for the expected afternoon rush when there came a sound of knocking on the side door. Opening the door he was surprised to find himself looking down at Naruto. He was crouched behind the bins, wearing nothing but a towel.

Teuchi: Well... I know you're always eager for ramen Naruto, but shouldn't you at least get dressed before you head out to lunch.
Naruto (with an embarrassed laugh): Haha, sorry about this old man Teuchi!
Teuchi: No worries Naruto, It's just lucky we had this emergency backup plan in place.
Naruto: yeah! Dattebayo!

Teuchi lets Naruto in and they go into the store room. Teuchi digs around in the back shelves until he comes out with a small brown box. It was marked with a small black swirl on the top and had Naruto's name on the side.

Teuchi: It should all be in there!
Naruto: thanks a lot!
Teuchi: Well after the last time something like this happened, it was smart that you came up with a back up plan.

(The store room door opens).

Teuchi: Hold on Ayame, Don't come in!
Naruto: Wait!
Ayame: Naruto? What're you doing here?

(She see's Naruto standing there in just a towel and freezes. She turns he head away and They both see that she was blushing).

Ayame: I'm almost afraid to ask, but what is it I've just walked in on?
Teuchi: It's nothing, Naruto's just picking up his emergency gear.
Ayame: Oh, Got locked out of your apartment at a bad time again?
Naruto: No, someone stole my clothes from the changing rooms in the hot springs. I think it was Konohamaru!
Ayame: I did see him and Udon run past the shop heading in that direction earlier on..
Naruto: I'll kill them when I find them!
Teuchi: Well, you'll need to get those fresh clothes on first. You can use the bathroom upstairs for some privacy.
Naruto: Thanks a million!

(Naruto is heading towards the stairs when Teuchi remembers he had some news for Naruto).

Teuchi: Hey Naruto! I just remembered! Those tables I borrowed for the party later, they're actually heavier than I thought they'd be, I'll need your help to get them set up. I'd ask Ayame, but she needs to stay out front and mind the shop.
Naruto: Of course! Do you need that help right away?
Teuchi: Not yet, at about four o'clock.
Naruto: Okay, I'll be back at four to help you out.

After Naruto got dressed, he thanked Teuchi and Ayame and headed to pick some things up at home, patting his pocket, where the spare keys that were in the box with his spare clothes, were jangling softly.

Naruto was walking along the path following the recently dug up river. The old channel was destroyed and several of the village's most powerful earth style users had to work hard to create the new channel linking the two points where the river was first cut off. He was humming a tune to himself and listening to the sound of flowing water when the sound of barking drew his attention to the large rock on the left of the path. Sitting against it, stroking the large white head of Akamaru, was Kiba. He was soaking wet!

Naruto: Kiba? What hap-.... Wait, let me guess, your mother?
Kiba: Yeah, she did it... damn nut job!
Naruto: What did you do this time?
Kiba: I don't even know! I just managed to get in the door, when all of a sudden she starts screaming at me about missing my grandparents visit! It seems they went home yesterday, three days earlier than planned.
Naruto: How is that your fault? you were away on a mission!
Kiba: I think something must have happened, an argument or something, she only goes this kind of nuts when her and Grandma get into it over something. I'm keeping my nose out of it while I'm still alive1
Naruto: Okay so, wanna help me out telling the others about tonight?
Kiba:I gotta find a way to dry off first.
Naruto: Yeah, I got my spare key from old man Teuchi, you can borrow some dry gear while your stuff dries.
Kiba: Thanks! but, one question, how did old man Teuchi have spare clothes and a spare key to your place?
Naruto: Well, it was back in the early days, a short while after we graduated from the Academy. I think someone was getting revenge for one of my pranks, because one day while I was getting dressed there was a knock on my door. I was only in my boxers, but back then I was too young and too tired to care. When I opened the door someone grabbed me and pulled me out the door. I hit my head on the opposite wall and was knocked out.
Kiba: You get knocked out and thought it was for a prank?
Naruto: Well, I was still pretty much hated by most of the village at that time, and it wouldn't have been the first time something like that happened, dattebayo.
Kiba: Wow! I know people were scared of you, but I didn't realize you were ever attacked.
Naruto: If a group of angry enough people gathered, it could happen. Luckily on one occasion, Kakashi sensei and Iruka sensei, who were passing by, jumped in and beat them all up in the blink of an eye, never happened again after that.
Kiba: Hah! When you make friends, you make the right kind!
Naruto: Haha! Yeah, I'm lucky that way! Anyway, this time, when I woke up I wasn't beat up; my head hurt, but that was all. The worst thing was they had gotten into my apartment. They found my keys, locked my door and my window, so I was stuck outside in my pants. I had to break the door down to get back in. At that time There weren't many  people I could feel I trusted, but old man Teuchi was always nice to me, so when I got my door replaced I went down to him with a spare key and some spare clothes as well, just in case. since then he's always had clothes and a key for me as a back up.
Kiba: I thought I'd never say this, but Naruto, that was pretty clever!
Naruto: Thanks. Now lets get going. I said I'd help old man Teuchi set up some stuff af four o'clock, so let's try and find everyone! And, I have to have a chat with two certain Genin on the subject of my clothes!
Kiba: So Konohamaru had an accomplice?
Naruto: Udon, or so it would seem, he was with him earlier.
Kiba: Let's go have some fun!

With that they headed for Naruto's place. Naruto was thankful to Sakura for bringing him out that day to get spare clothes or he and Kiba would probably be in real trouble right now.

{END OF PART 4}